New Hyde Park Firecats Come Back to Defeat the HBC Sudden Impact, 4-2, in Overtime to Win the Girls-Under-12 State Open Cup

By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

June 8, 2013-The apply named HBC Sudden Impact from Huntington stormed to a 2-0 lead but the New Hyde Park Firecats scored four unanswered goals, two in regulation and two in overtime, to win the Girls-Under-12 State Open Cup championship. The Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) title game between two Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) teams was played on June 1 at Stringham Park in LaGrange.

"We were down by two very early in the game but the players settled in and the match became even in terms of play," commented New Hyde Park coach Dawn Ward. "At halftime, we had our normal team talk, but this time it was the girls who really figured out the changes they needed to make. Shortly after the whistle to begin the second half, we scored and then the girls were off to the races. They had a lot of spirit and worked hard to keep the pressure on the opposing defense and the game ended in a 2-2 tie after regulation. All I can say is it was a total team effort and each girl rose to the occasion and I am very proud of each and every one of them!"

New Hyde Park will play at the Regionals from June 28 to July 2 at the University of Rhode Island. Eastern New York is donating $2,000 to the team and paying all expense fees for the Regionals.

HBC received the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award as selected by the match referees. Now retired, Mr. Rubenstein was seemingly involved in every facet of New York soccer for decades and is a member of the Halls of Fame of Eastern New York, the US Amateur Soccer Association and the Long Island Junior Soccer League.

"I would like to mention that HBC was very kind, caring and helpful when my daughter, who suffered the worst of the team injuries, needed help," added Coach Ward.

With 123,843 youth soccer players––68,587 boys and 55,256 girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 12 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. Eastern New York exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. Eastern New York is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.